Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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581. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to amend the 2025 scheme of investment aid for commercial horticulture sector to remove the minimum spend requirement so that all affected growers can access support, regardless of financial position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9612/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In response to the damage that resulted from Storm Éowyn to the Irish horticulture sector I, together with my colleague Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Horticulture, recently announced a targeted reopening of the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

The targeted reopening of the 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is only for growers proposing investments in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Aid will be payable at the maximum rate of 40% (at a maximum rate of 50% in the case of young farmers and licensed organic growers) on the accepted net cost of investments approved and completed to the satisfaction of the Department. The minimum investment which will be considered for grant aid is €7,500 excluding VAT.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector is implemented pursuant to the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas and therefore, any changes to the scheme Terms and Conditions would require prior approval from the EU Commission.

In addition, organic horticultural growers can apply for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) Organic Capital Investment Scheme which provides grant aid towards the cost of certain horticulture investments. Grant aid will only be paid on approved, completed, and eligible expenditure and shall be paid at the rate of 40% for licensed organic operators and 60% for farmers who are also current participants of the Organic Farming Scheme up to the applicable TAMS 3 maximum investment ceiling of €90,000 per holding. The minimum amount of investment which is eligible for approval under this Scheme is €2,000 per application.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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582. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to amend the 2025 scheme of investment aid for the commercial horticulture sector to Increase the level of financial assistance to reflect the true cost of rebuilding and recovering lost crops and to provide emergency aid for loss of earnings, recognizing that farms have lost not only infrastructure but also their ability to generate income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9613/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the significant impact Storm Éowyn has had on growers in the Irish horticulture sector.

My officials have engaged with Teagasc and other stakeholders to assess the extent and significance of the damage caused. In response, I, together with my colleague Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Horticulture, recently announced a targeted reopening of the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector to deal only with growers proposing investments in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector is implemented pursuant to the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas and therefore, any changes to the scheme Terms and Conditions would require prior approval from the EU Commission. Applications received from growers who have suffered damage as a result of Storm Éowyn will be prioritised for approval. In addition, organic horticultural growers can apply for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) Organic Capital Investment Scheme which provides grant aid towards the cost of certain horticulture investments.